Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The country was at first a uniform plain of burnt-up rice-grounds, but at a few miles' dis-
tance precipitous hills appeared, backed by the lofty central range of the peninsula. Towards
these our path lay, and after having gone six or eight miles the hills began to advance into
the plain right and left of us, and the ground became pierced here and there with blocks and
pillars of limestone rock, while a few abrupt conical hills and peaks rose like islands.
Passing over an elevated tract forming the shoulder of one of the hills, a picturesque scene
lay before us. We looked down into a little valley almost entirely surrounded by mountains,
rising abruptly in huge precipices, and forming a succession of knolls and peaks and domes
of the most varied and fantastic shapes. In the very centre of the valley was a large bamboo
house, while scattered around were a dozen cottages of the same material.
I was kindly received by Mr. Jacob Mesman in an airy saloon detached from the house,
and entirely built of bamboo and thatched with grass. After breakfast he took me to his fore-
man's house, about a hundred yards off, half of which was given up to me till I should de-
cide where to have a cottage built for my own use. I soon found that this spot was too much
exposed to the wind and dust, which rendered it very difficult to work with papers or in-
sects. It was also dreadfully hot in the afternoon, and after a few days I got a sharp attack of
fever, which determined me to move. I accordingly fixed on a place about a mile off, at the
foot of a forest-covered hill, where in a few days Mr. M. built for me a nice little house, con-
sisting of a good-sized enclosed verandah or open room, and a small inner sleeping-room,
with a little cook-house outside. As soon as it was finished I moved into it, and found the
change most agreeable.
